XK0-006 PAM modules Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to implement password complexity rules requiring at least one uppercase letter, one digit, and a minimum length of 10 characters. Which two PAM configuration entries would be used? (Choose TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The CompTIA Linux+ exam often tests the distinction between `pam_pwquality.so` (complexity) and `pam_pwhistory.so` (history), and candidates may confuse `auth` modules (like `pam_faillock.so`) with `password` modules, or forget that `pam_unix.so` does not enforce complexity rules.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
password requisite pam_pwquality.so minlen=10 ucredit=1 dcredit=1
The `pam_pwquality.so` module enforces password complexity rules. The `minlen=10` parameter sets the minimum password length to 10 characters, `ucredit=1` requires at least one uppercase letter, and `dcredit=1` requires at least one digit. The `requisite` control ensures that if these checks fail, authentication is immediately denied. Option E is also correct because `enforce_for_root` applies the same complexity rules to the root user, which is often needed to fully enforce the policy. Options A, B, and D are incorrect: `pam_pwhistory.so` is for password history, not complexity; `pam_unix.so` does not enforce complexity; `pam_faillock.so` is an `auth` module for account lockout, not password strength.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
password required pam_pwhistory.so use_authtok
Why it's wrong here
pam_pwhistory is for password history, not complexity.
- ✗
password required pam_unix.so
Why it's wrong here
pam_unix does not enforce complexity.
- ✓
password requisite pam_pwquality.so minlen=10 ucredit=1 dcredit=1
Why this is correct
Correct: pam_pwquality with minlen,ucredit,dcredit enforces required complexity.
- ✗
auth required pam_faillock.so
Why it's wrong here
pam_faillock is an auth module for account lockout, not password strength.
- ✓
password requisite pam_pwquality.so enforce_for_root
Why this is correct
Correct: enforce_for_root applies the same rules to root, necessary for full enforcement.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
About these practice questions
This XK0-006 question is part of Courseiva's 979-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.